Times Now

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to fly astronauts around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era more than 50 years ago. The long gap has drawn attention to why the United States took so long to resume crewed lunar missions, with explanations pointing to shifting political priorities, funding fluctuations, and technical setbacks across successive programs since Apollo ended in 1972.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time while also moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,' speaking ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge, reported by APT, comes as Tehran seeks to reassure the international community about its nuclear programme and shapes expectations for Iran's diplomatic posture at the New York gathering.

CBS News reports that the U.S. military is laying the groundwork for possible action around Cuba. Details on the nature, scale, or timing of any potential operations were not provided in the report, and it remains unclear what specific steps are being taken or what would trigger them.

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

Manchester City's dispute with the Premier League reached a dramatic climax, in what is being described as a day that shocked football. The New York Times reports on the fallout and asks what follows for the club and the league after the ruling. The outcome has major implications for financial rules, club autonomy and how English football's top flight regulates its wealthiest members going forward.

A long-standing dispute dating back to World War II is straining an alliance that Ukraine considers pivotal to its defense, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report highlights how historical grievances between partners supporting Kyiv are complicating cooperation at a time when Ukraine depends heavily on unified Western backing to sustain its war effort against Russia.

Formula 1 has released the qualifying highlights for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, drawing millions of views and engagement from fans worldwide. The session on the tight Baku street circuit sets the grid for the next race of the 2026 season, and viewers are reacting to the lap times, surprises and mistakes from qualifying.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to announce a new 'Help to Buy'-style scheme next week called 'Your First Home'. Reports say it would allow young people to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, a far lower barrier than most mortgages require. The proposal is drawing heavy attention online, with many debating whether such low-deposit buying would genuinely help first-time buyers or fuel house price inflation.

Ukraine launched a record drone attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the final day of Russia's presidential election. The strike, one of the largest on the city since the war began, coincided with voting in which President Vladimir Putin sought a new term. Ukrainian officials described the operation as a demonstration that Russia's rear areas are no longer safe.

Singapore is reworking its national cyber defence strategy following attacks attributed to the hacking group UNC3886, according to a Straits Times report. As part of the shift, the city-state is deploying AI-powered security tools to detect and respond to intrusions more quickly. The move signals a more proactive posture against state-linked espionage threats targeting critical infrastructure.

Singapore has put forward a proposal for a United Nations framework convention on artificial intelligence safety, according to the Straits Times. The initiative would aim to create an international agreement setting common standards for the safe development and use of AI, positioning Singapore as an active voice in global AI governance debates.

SpaceX is preparing Starship Flight 14, an orbital test flight targeted for Sept. 28. Space.com reports the expected launch time and published a full mission timeline covering launch, booster separation, and re-entry milestones. The mission is the next step in testing the rocket's reusability as the company pushes toward future lunar and Mars missions.

Canada has called for stronger international partnerships, warning that the global order is facing a 'rupture'. The appeal, reported by UN News, frames multilateral cooperation as essential at a time of mounting geopolitical strain. Canada's message positions itself as a defender of the rules-based international system and closer collaboration among nations.

The United Nations Secretary-General has delivered a pointed message to the world's major powers, declaring that 'their power isn't so super' in remarks widely read as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. The comments are being framed as a challenge to big-power dominance and a call for multilateralism, drawing strong reaction and debate about the UN's standing against Washington.

The US Supreme Court has for the third time declined to let Missouri put in place a new congressional map expected to help Republicans win more House seats. The order leaves the map on hold while litigation continues, and it marks repeated refusals by the justices to intervene on the state's behalf, keeping the redrawn districts out of use for now.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

Saudi Arabia has withdrawn from a China-led cross-border currency platform, according to the Financial Times. The move signals a pullback from Beijing's efforts to build alternatives to dollar-based international payments, and is being read as Riyadh keeping its options open with Washington amid ongoing economic and security ties. Observers see it as a setback for de-dollarisation efforts.

Mexico's national football team takes on Colombia in an international friendly that marks Rafa Márquez's debut as head coach of El Tri. Fans are searching for kickoff times and broadcast details, with interest strong in Mexico, Spain, and the United States, where large Colombian and Mexican communities follow the match.

Ukraine launched strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is widely expected to secure another term. The timing is seen as a pointed message, striking the Russian capital just as voting begins. Observers say the attack highlights Ukraine's growing ability to hit targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries and infrastructure, while underscoring that the election takes place amid an ongoing war and with major opposition candidates barred from the ballot.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb delivered one of the most talked-about addresses at the United Nations General Assembly, arguing that the world has moved from a post-Cold War order into a period of disorder. His remarks, framing the shift away from predictable great-power politics, are drawing wide international attention.

Poland's central bank is described as trapped in a political contest, according to the Financial Times. The report highlights growing tensions around the institution, suggesting its independence is under pressure amid a broader struggle over political influence in Poland. The row adds to scrutiny of the bank's leadership and policy decisions at a sensitive moment for the country's economy and institutions.

A called strike two was overturned after a manager challenged the call under Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike system, which reviews ball and strike decisions in real time. The system, being tested this season as part of MLB's effort to improve umpiring accuracy, changed the pitch to a ball. It is among the clearest signs yet of how ABS challenges are altering games.